Yes, I was wondering about a transverse engine set up kind of like the HF55 but incorporating a larger drive motor for the front axle….   Not sure what is possible here but wondering if the HF55 can be connected to the Lightning’s front transmission…but how do you package all of that?   The Shark 6 also has a drive connection to the front wheels but is only one speed that cuts in over 70 kph/ 45 mph I think the F150 would need more than this to satisfy owners.. you’ll laugh but thinking “powerglide” with one planet carrier..

That YT video shows the reviewer getting an actual 23MPG, or 10.2L per 100 km.  So yeah, not that good IMHO.

JP, can you elaborate more on what you mean by a “split cycle hybrid transmission”? Are you thinking of an upgraded HF55 hybrid transmission or something similar to the BYD Shark?

And this is where I suspect that the F150 EREV will be a much better package for buyers, I think the integration of a hybrid ICE/drive will go much better in the roomier F150.   And of course, the extended range will be used to give F150 incredible EPA economy figures while giving owner the opportunity of experiencing strong acceleration when the need arises.

BYD Shark EREV   https://youtu.be/i7EnaR_9XGs?si=F0Dx_jA6TIjyUtFJ

BYD Shark EREV teardown   https://youtu.be/J_zRxKUi6Eo?si=b5u_6bazi3hgQPZ9

I read many years ago that when Ford came out with the Taurus, Toyota et all were panicking!  They thought they were all done! It was the right size, the right price with innovative styling. But like with everything else they do, Ford became complacent. Instead of making subtle improvements, they let it anguish. The only excuse is maybe price now. I don't know what the cost disadvantage is due to maybe fixed costs like union demands. But Edge and Escape sales were admirable. Another article I just read yesterday was a guy who had an Edge and wanted to buy a newer one but found out he couldn't so he bought a Subaru. He said, "I didn't leave Ford, Ford left me."  I don't know how much longer Ford can sell $60K to $90K vehicles before the bottom falls out. When the next recession comes -- and it will -- Ford will have nothing to offer. I hope I'm wrong, But I predicted the 2008 auto mfr. bankruptcy/recession in 1998. How did I know? Well one reason was you can't pay workers 95% of their pay to stay home during a layoff. And yes I know Ford mortgaged their logo and didn't take the bailout money.

In the early days, that made a lot of sense with regional needs but agree that in the last decade or so, Ford Europe became decidedly stubborn about development decisions and controlling its vehicles much to the detriment of other regions - One Ford showed the limitations of FOE having too much say.  

FWIW I don't remember a time when Europe didn't have thier own platforms.       There are many factors that endanger this strategy. Fuel prices  Regional economic conditions  Regulatory environment  Changes in consumer preferences  Something about eggs and basket blah blah blah     

As long as they keep nailing the trucks and the Bronco they’ll probably be fine, but it definitely feels like the end of an era for the "everyman" Ford.